Strong Days from Gutierrez and Burton Highlight Day 1 of Aztec Fall Invitational

Liberty men's tennis players Eddie Gutierrez and Chase Burton each won two matches in their respective draws, Friday on day one of the Aztec Fall Invitational at the Aztec Tennis Center.

Collectively, the Flames claimed five singles matches and a pair of doubles bouts, Friday.

"Our guys responded well in the second series of matches," stated Flames head coach Derek Schwandt. "We are looking to build on each match this fall and become tougher and smarter competitors each day."

Gutierrez took down SDSU's Nicholas Mitchell in his first match, 6-3, 6-0. The Mexico City, Mexico, native faced a sterner test in his second match of the day against Gregoire Balenci. Gutierrez won set one, 6-3, before needing a tiebreaker to take the second set, 7-6, and the match (6-3, 7-6). The Liberty junior will face University of San Diego's Garrett Kurtz, tomorrow in a semifinal match in the Flight 2 singles draw.

In the morning session, Burton required two sets to best UC Irvine's Vatsal Bajpal, 7-5, 6-4. The Liberty sophomore then played a lengthy three-set bout against San Diego State's Raul De La Torre and emerged victorious, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. The Naples, Fla., native will face USD's Alex Araouzos on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

The Flames' duo of Gutierrez and Vince Salas earned a thrilling 7-6 (6) win in the Flight 1 doubles division against SDSU's tandem of Ignacio Martinez and Joel Popov. The Liberty duo will face UCLA's Connor Rapp and Ben Goldberg in the quarterfinals, Saturday morning.

Liberty junior Max Borcuti teamed with SDSU's De La Torre for a 7-6 (3) triumph against USD's Pratt Keerasuntonpong and Kurtz. Borcuti and his partner will square off with the Grand Canyon Antelopes' team of Leo Andreolli and Justin Cvitanovic on Saturday morning in the semifinals.

Liberty will be back in action on day two of the Aztec Fall Invite on Saturday. Results from the invitational, as well as a recap, will be available at the conclusion of day two on LibertyFlames.com.